Charlie Mulgrew feeling the benefits of Celtic escape

As reported by The Scotsman, former Celtic hero Charlie Mulgrew has revealed he has no regrets about leaving the club, even boldly claiming that he’s now a better footballer than he was at his time in Glasgow.

What’s the story?

Mulgrew left Celtic last summer after his contract expired and called an end to a six year spell at the club that saw him make over 200 appearances. He ultimately signed with Blackburn Rovers for three years and has kept himself in good enough form to make this week’s Scotland squad.

A boyhood Hoops fan, you might expect that he sees it as a downward step from the highs in Glasgow, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

At the time a lot of people looked and thought it wasn’t the right move but it was me who wanted to do it. I feel more prepared now and that I’m a better player, more experienced. I feel it’s improved me. You have a lot of the ball at Celtic, in most games you’ve got at least 60-70 per cent possession. So it’s different games, there’s more defending to be done. It’s opened my eyes a bit.

Also claiming the English Championship is more demanding than the Scottish Premiership, it’s clear that Mulgrew is enjoying life at Rovers.

A better player?

Mulgrew’s assertion he is a better player is probably a fair personal reflection. He certainly hasn’t regressed anyway. Playing the vast majority of his matches in the Championship this season in the centre of defence, he’s been one of their top performers, despite a campaign that sees Rovers at risk of relegation.

The struggles currently sit 22nd in the table, one point from safety. However, Mulgrew helping them to recent clean sheets against QPR, Derby and Wigan, supporters will be hoping they have enough about them to end the campaign in safety.

At 31 years of age, it appears there’s plenty of life in the career of Mulgrew yet.